Sports Betting in Illinois: Your Complete Guide to the Prairie State’s Wagering Landscape

The Prairie State has rapidly transformed into one of America’s most vibrant sports betting markets since legalization in 2019. With its massive population exceeding 12.7 million residents and passionate sports culture centred around Chicago, Illinois consistently ranks near the top nationally in monthly wagering volume, regularly surpassing $1 billion. This remarkable growth reflects both the state’s enthusiastic embrace of legal wagering and the competitive marketplace that benefits bettors.

For comprehensive details about the regulatory framework and available options, check out All about Chicago Illinois Sports betting resources that provide up-to-date information on this evolving landscape.

The Legal Framework and Market Structure

Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Illinois Sports Wagering Act into law on June 28, 2019, establishing the regulatory foundation. Online sports betting launched on June 18, 2020, eliminating the initial requirement for in-person registration at retail locations. That change proved crucial for market expansion, allowing residents to create accounts entirely remotely.

Currently, ten licensed operators serve Illinois bettors. They are:

• FanDuel
• DraftKings
• BetMGM
• Caesars
• Bet365
• Fanatics
• BetRivers
• Hard Rock Bet
• theScore BET
• Circa Sports

The Illinois Gaming Board maintains strict oversight. This ensures that all platforms operate with proper licensing. But the state implemented significant tax increases in 2025. Rates climbed from 15% to a progressive scale reaching 40%, plus per-wager transaction fees that some operators have passed to customers.

Illinois permits wagering on professional sports across all major leagues but restricts betting on in-state college teams, including the University of Illinois, Northwestern, and DePaul.

Chicago: The Epicentre of Illinois Sports Betting

Chicago dominates Illinois sports betting activity, driven by its concentrated population and passionate fanbases supporting professional teams across all major leagues:

• The Chicago Bears (NFL)
• Bulls (NBA)
• Cubs and White Sox (MLB)
• Blackhawks (NHL)

Together, these franchises generate enormous betting interest throughout their respective seasons.

Football commands the largest share of wagering activity, with approximately 108 searches per 1,000 monthly searches by Illinois residents being football-related. Basketball ranks second at 75 searches.

Retail sportsbooks provide in-person betting experiences throughout the Chicago metropolitan area but mobile betting dominates the market. The convenience factor just cannot be overstated.

Statewide Availability and Regional Considerations

Whilst Chicago generates the lion’s share of betting volume, Illinois sports betting operates statewide. Residents from Rockford to Springfield to East St. Louis access identical online platforms, ensuring geographic equity. The only requirement is physical presence within Illinois borders when placing wagers – geolocation technology confirms this automatically.

Retail sportsbooks exist beyond Chicago as well. DraftKings operates at Casino Queen in East St. Louis, serving the metro St. Louis population. Various riverboat casinos throughout Illinois maintain sports betting facilities, though these attract considerably less traffic than online counterparts.

The 2025 tax structure poses challenges for sustained growth. Several operators instituted per-bet surcharges, with FanDuel and DraftKings charging 50 cents per wager whilst Fanatics and Caesars implemented 25-cent fees. These charges directly impact recreational bettors making frequent smaller wagers, potentially driving some activity elsewhere despite legal options available.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/sports-betting-in-illinois-your-complete-guide-to-the-prairie-states-wagering-landscape